When you lend, should you expect nothing in return?

I have small simple systems for everything including tracking who I have loaned books to.

A couple of days ago I looked at who was on the ‘naughty list’ of people who haven’t returned my books. Some of these people have great books and they have had them for years. As I looked at the list I mused how often I never get books back, but I left the list unchanged.

This morning I read “But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return”. I realised I should expect “nothing in return” and holding a long-term list of books actually meant each time I reviewed the list; I subconsciously put a negative mark against their name.

I culled the list.

So if you have books of mine … consider them a gift.

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Expecting nothing in return is not just about books, or that $10 you lent.

Expecting nothing in return is about being generous and gracious and doing good.

And for us, expecting nothing in return means you free yourself from the mental and emotional energy needed to hold on to something so small.

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2 thoughts on “When you lend, should you expect nothing in return?”

I know exactly what you mean. I decided a long time ago that I would never lend anyone anything unless I was willing to never have it returned. If it ever does come back it is a welcome surprise that brightens my day. Surprises are more welcome in my world than grudges. Life is far too short for the later.